Science

Judi Lynn

(162,703 posts) Fri Jan 17, 2025, 06:58 AM 7 hrs ago

Extraordinary images reveal the mysteries of Mars

From windswept craters to frigid ice caps, explore Martian landscapes through the eyes of NASA’s orbiters, probes and rovers

By David Stock

15 January 2025

Dingo gap in Gale crater

NASA/JPL-CALTECH/MSSS

From H. G. Wells’s alien invaders in The War of the Worlds to The Martian‘s abandoned astronaut, we have long been inspired by the idea that life could reside on Mars – human or otherwise. Flybys, orbiters and landers, including NASA’s Perseverance rover and its aerial sidekick, Ingenuity, have made Mars one of the best understood planets in our solar system. Now, more than ever, we are closer to answering the question: could life exist there?

An impact crater at Meridiani Planum

NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona

Mars’s surface temperature

NASA/JPL-Caltech/Arizona State University

A new book, Mars: Photographs from the NASA archive, celebrates the missions that have enriched our understanding of Mars and looks to a future where humans explore the Red Planet.

More:
https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26535260-300-extraordinary-images-reveal-the-mysteries-of-mars/

6 replies

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Highlight:

Extraordinary images reveal the mysteries of Mars (Original Post) Judi Lynn 7 hrs ago OP

I love these photos and this research. Sending humans to Mars is a wasteful folly * Oopsie Daisy 5 hrs ago #1

There's one human I'd like to send... infullview 5 hrs ago #4

But Intergalatic Space Navigation regulations require an ACM (addition crew member) Bo Zarts 5 hrs ago #6

PS: There's a youtube channel called "The Mars Guy" ... have you seen him? Oopsie Daisy 5 hrs ago #2

From the top photograph, looks like we should thank the Martians for building a nice runway. chouchou 5 hrs ago #3

K&R JohnnyRingo 5 hrs ago #5

Oopsie Daisy

(4,755 posts)

1. I love these photos and this research. Sending humans to Mars is a wasteful folly *

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Fri Jan 17, 2025, 08:47 AM

5 hrs ago

* when satellites, cameras, robotics and other high-tech sensors and recording devices can accomplish so much more. Putting a human on Mars is for vanity purposes only, it's really not necessary to perform the science or to learn more about the planet.

There are no humans aboard the JWST, and it's performing just fine without them. The satellites and robots and cameras and helicopter/drones sent to Mars are sufficient.

infullview

(1,063 posts)

4. There's one human I'd like to send...

Reply to Oopsie Daisy (Reply #1)

Fri Jan 17, 2025, 08:56 AM

5 hrs ago

I nominate Leon

Bo Zarts

(25,769 posts)

6. But Intergalatic Space Navigation regulations require an ACM (addition crew member)

Reply to infullview (Reply #4)

Fri Jan 17, 2025, 09:08 AM

5 hrs ago

I nominate Donald as Leon's co-pilot. Leon is the captain, of course.

Oopsie Daisy

(4,755 posts)

2. PS: There's a youtube channel called "The Mars Guy" ... have you seen him?

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Fri Jan 17, 2025, 08:49 AM

5 hrs ago

I very much enjoy is digest-sized updates on what's going on with the science and exploration and new discoveries on Mars.

https://www.youtube.com/@MarsGuy

Mars Guy is Arizona State University associate research professor Dr. Steve Ruff, a Mars geologist with decades of experience exploring the red planet. This channel follows the exploration of Jezero crater by the Perseverance rover and Ingenuity helicopter, presenting science, engineering, and the search for life on Mars using a novel in-person experience.

This project was initiated in part with collaboration from the NASA Infiniscope project.